Improved electric signal-light



s. GARDINER; Jr. & L. BLOSSOM. Electric-$ignal Light. No. 20,706. Patented June 29,1858.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SVGARDINER, JR AN D L. BLOSSOM, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED E LECTRIC SIGNAL-LIGHT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 20,706. dated J une 29, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAML. GARDINE-R, Jr., and LEVI BLOSSOM, of the city, county, and State of N ew York, have invented a new and useful Electric Signal Lantern or Light; and we'do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part. of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of a signal lantern or light constructed after our invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the same. Fig.4-is a diagram illustrating a modification of our invention.

v Similar letters of reference in each of the several figures indicate corresponding parts.

The nature of our invention consists in the combination of a platinum coil or its effective equivalent, which is illuminated by electricity, with a transparent signal-lantern, said combination being effected by arranging the coil withinthe lantern upon two conducting-wires which are connected with an electro-galvanic battery.

To enable others skilled in the 'art to make and use our invention, we will proceed to de scribe its construction and operation.

1 A represents a standard for supporting a signal-lantern, B, adapted for carrying out our invention successfully. This lantern has two or more of its sides formed of colored glass,

one side being blue and the other red, or otherwise illuminated so as to be seen readily at a great distance. The central portion of the transparent sides is not colored, as shown at a, so that the intense light directly about the platinum coil may not be shaded, or be partially obscured. The lantern is provided with suitable reflectors, b b, and is ventilated by means of holes 0 c and spaces d 61 around the edges of the glass, as illustrated by the arrows.

is situated in the lower or any convenient part of the hull of the vessel, and is connected with a telegraphing-machine, so that the electric illuminatin g-current, may be let onto the platinum coil or shut off from, it at pleasure.

Instead of having the conducting-wires extend down to the battery, they may be cut ofl' so as to just touch the base-plate d of the standard of thclantern. In this case said plate must be connected with the batteryand be insulated at two points on its surface, in the manner shown at c c, Fig. 4, and the lantern and standard arranged to revolve.

By our invention the most intense and bril liant light can be constantly kept up, as the electric current is concentrated by the platinum coilin a manner that said coil will always be heated to the color of a brilliant white flame, which will be seen at a great distance through thennshaded central part' of the lantern, and its reflected rays through the colored portions of the transparent front.

With our invention any desired signals may be transmitted from one ship to another, as follows: We will suppose that the captains of different ships have agreed between themselves that the appearing and disappearing of the signal-light twice shall indicate distress, the appearing and disappearing of the light three times, all right, and so on. Now, to accomplish these signals all that is necessary is for the captain or other person in charge of the matter to touch the keys of the telegraphingmachine. the proper number of times and in the proper manner.

In case the signal-lantern is arranged to revolve, the samesignals can be produced by the breaking of the current at intervals, which is effected by having the conductingwires come at intervals in contact with the insulated portions of the base-plate.

The signal-lantern has two of its sides formed of different-colored glass, so that when used on abuoy the electric light may be seen by ships coming in and going out to sea.

The value of a sure signal-light cannot be estimated when the important office it is to serve is considered. We believe our signallightcan be depended upon, both as to its great intensity and as to its certainty of remaining always in force, there being no possible chance for it to cease so long as the battery is supplied and the electric current conducted to the platinum coil.

This invention is perfectly applicable to the purpose of signal-lights on board of boats, tern, B, said combination being efi'eoted by arships, vessels, and buoys also to stationary ranging the coil 0 within the lantern B upon signals on land for military and scientific purtwo 00ndnoting-wires,DD,which are connected Eoses; also for all stgtlilongry or floating lightwith an electro-galvanic battery.

cases or coasts an ar ors. T

What we claim as our invention, and desire gg gg a to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of a platinum coil, 0, or Witnesses: its effective equivalent, which is illuminated Goonwm Y. ATLEE. by electricity, with a transparent signal-lan- H. H. YOUNG. 

